Rock sugar has a sweet taste and neutral nature, entering the lung and spleen meridians. It tonifies the middle energizer, benefits qi, harmonizes the stomach, and moistens the lungs. Rock sugar nourishes yin, generates fluids, moistens the lungs, and stops coughing. It provides excellent auxiliary treatment for dry cough due to lung dryness, dry cough without phlegm, and coughing up blood-tinged sputum.It is used for coughing and wheezing caused by lung dryness, lung deficiency, wind-cold, or fatigue; childhood malaria; dysentery with locked jaw; mouth ulcers; and wind-heat toothache. Traditional Chinese medicine considers rock sugar to moisten the lungs, stop coughing, clear phlegm, and reduce internal heat. It is also used as an adjunct ingredient in preparing medicinal wines and stewing tonics.
1. Functions: Tonifies the middle energizer, harmonizes the stomach, moistens the lungs, stops coughing, and resolves phlegm.
2. Properties: Sweet taste, neutral nature, non-toxic. Meridian tropism: Enters the Lung and Spleen meridians.
3. Effects: Nourishes yin, generates fluids, moistens the lungs, and stops coughing.
4. Indications: Dry cough due to lung dryness, dry cough without phlegm, coughing up blood-tinged sputum.
Used for cough and wheezing due to lung dryness, lung deficiency, wind-cold, or fatigue; childhood malaria; dysentery with locked jaw; mouth ulcers; and wind-heat toothache.
(1) Pear
Pears are cool in nature and sweet in taste, clearing heat and resolving phlegm. They are suitable for those with heat-type coughs.
Traditionally, peel the pear, remove the core, fill it with 1–3 grams of Chuanbei powder, and steam it over water. Consume twice daily, one pear each time. Alternatively, crush 3–5 grams of Ephedra (Mahuang) and stuff it into the pear cavity before steaming.(2) Tofu Tofu clears heat and moistens dryness. The Medical Forest Essentials states: "Tofu clears heat, stops coughing, and eliminates phlegm." It is especially suitable for coughs caused by wind-heat or lung heat. Alternatively, boil one sheet of tofu skin with an appropriate amount of rock sugar until cooked. This also treats lung-heat coughs.
(3) Persimmons
Persimmons are cold in nature, clearing heat, resolving phlegm, and stopping coughs, making them suitable for those with heat-type coughs.
Modern pharmacological studies confirm persimmons possess expectorant and antitussive effects, with the expectorant action being stronger than the antitussive effect.
(4) Loquat
Cool in nature and sweet in taste, it moistens the lungs, transforms phlegm, and stops coughing.
The Diannan Materia Medica states: "Loquat treats coughing and phlegm expulsion." It is suitable for those with hot coughs producing yellow, pus-like phlegm. Water chestnuts transform phlegm and clear heat, making them especially beneficial for hot coughs with pus-like phlegm.
Take 250g of fresh water chestnuts per serving. Wash, peel, blanch in boiling water, and consume raw. Take once in the morning and once in the evening for 3-5 consecutive days.